Can an airplane stall at any altitude?

Absolutely! Since stalls are an AOA (angle of attack) issue, the type of airplane doesn't matter. As Chief Pilot Daun said, “an airplane can stall at any altitude, airspeed or attitude.” So the question that comes to mind is, “how are stalls in airliners different from stalls in small airplanes?”



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Most commercial airplanes have a certified maximum altitude of about 40,000 to 45,000 feet. Regardless of its certified maximum altitude, if an airplane flies too high, it may fail in one or more ways. For starters, the engine may suffocate from a lack of oxygen.

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Flights may be canceled due to wind, precipitation, fog or low visibility, lightning, low clouds, or storms.

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A higher elevation will require a longer climb, meaning the aircraft will burn more fuel in order to reach its cruising altitude. Additionally, 35,000 feet gives more time for airline crew to address any unexpected mid-flight incidents.

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You may notice a lag between your control inputs and the airplane's response. You might also feel the airplane start to buffet or shake just before the stall. You may feel this in the control yoke or through the airframe. This is a result of the turbulent airflow tumbling over the top of the wing.

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Transferring too much weight onto the nosewheel causes a situation called wheelbarrowing, which can lead to a loss of directional control, prop strike, or nose gear collapse. On top of those problems, with little to no weight on your main landing gear, you have little braking action.

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Slowest aircraft
The Ruppert Archaeopteryx has a certified stall speed of 30–39 kilometres per hour (19–24 mph). The Vought XF5U can fly as slow as 32 kilometres per hour (20 mph). The Tapanee Pegazair-100 stall speed is 45 kilometres per hour (28 mph).

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When an aircraft experiences turbulence, the plane can drop or change altitude suddenly. This is why pilots always caution passengers to buckle up and stay seated when they are experiencing flight turbulence. The sudden movements put passengers at risk.

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In a separate filing cited by the Journal, attorneys for the families wrote that the 157 people onboard undeniably suffered horrific emotional distress, pain and suffering, and physical impact/injury while they endured extreme G-forces, braced for impact, knew the airplane was malfunctioning, and ultimately plummeted ...

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Routes with the most turbulence
  • New York to London. One of the most popular routes which experience turbulence is flying from New York to London (and also London to New York). ...
  • Seoul to Dallas. ...
  • Flying into certain airports near the equator. ...
  • Flying into Reno, Nevada. ...
  • London to South Africa.


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